POETRY

The Invisible Shackles of My OCD

Navigating the Intrusive Worries and Compulsions of OCD

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I am trapped in an endless cycle, shackled by the invisible chains of my own mind.
Each day is a battle, a war waged against intrusive thoughts that relentlessly invade my consciousness.

I find myself standing at the sink, scrubbing my hands raw, watching the skin turn red and angry.
Yet the feeling of dirt, of invisible contaminants,
clings to me like a stubborn stain.
No matter how hard I scrub,
I can never get truly clean.

Stepping out the door becomes a challenge, my mind consumed by irrational fears.
What if I forgot to lock the door?
What if the stove is still on?
What if that bathroom light is still twinkling?
The “what ifs” swirl endlessly, paralyzing me with dread.
I find myself walking back, double-checking, triple-checking until the anxiety somewhat subsides,
all in a desperate attempt to find the elusive peace that my brain denies me.